Shape of my Life

Felicia asked me today “What kind of environment do you want Elkan to grow up in?” I looked at Elkan, he gave me the same cheeky and happy expression. Like many kids today, Elkan is living in a digital era. Computers, iPAD, digital camera, PS3, Cable TV and iPhone aren’t foreign objects to him. Really, I have no answer. Perhaps, a happy environment where my son can explore new things and grow his talents.

Looking back, I wasn’t born gifted. In fact, I must thank my dad and mum for sending me to a private art school when I was only 7. It was quite an investment for them back in those days. We weren’t rich, just average class – but my dad continued to support me in the art classes till I was 12. (And I have also did them proud by bringing back those art trophies). My parents have certainly molded my life.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t just the art classes that made me “creative” today. It was the non-luxury depriving lifestyle that spurred me to be resourceful and creative. My parents were thrifty and they didn’t spoil me with a mountain of toys. LEGO was the best toy Dad got for me. I had limitless imagination and I started building little “make-believe” worlds for my characters. Later, I expanded these “worlds” by modifying discarded styrofoam and corrugated boxes. One of my most memorable and favorite “worlds” was the “ice island” I built. I found a big TV styrofoam box and I created tunnels and caves by burning through the foam. To create the snow effect, I emptied a bottle of body powder into the box. I built modern vehicles with LEGO and parked them inside these “secret tunnels”. There were also trap doors and secret passages for my characters.

My structures started to get bigger. Dad was a wood trader and he brought back a lot of scrap woods from his factory. (Auntie Amy also gave me a lot of tiled teak woods). During my school holidays, I went to Dad’s factory and picked up some basic carpentry skills from his co-colleagues. (In fact, I spent most of my school holidays in the factory with my dad – till the day it closed for good.) Armed with nails, wood glue and scrap materials, I came home and spent numerous days building my next toy world. One of my works caught the eyes of my Secondary School 2 form teacher. She commissioned me to build a multi-stories carpark for her son’s toy cars. I spent 1 week on that project and I managed to complete it before Christmas. It was a massive structure, 100% teak wood and it was good for at least 50 cars. My reward? She gave me an expensive dictionary which I keep till today.

One thing led to another. I soon found myself excelling  in art and design. (And of course, I was never keen in those algebra, chemicals and equations) Eventually, I pursued my diploma, degree and careers in creative. It has been a good 22 years since the day my dad enrolled me in the art school. And it was this unique childhood that shaped my life today.

Strangely, my parents have never tell me what they want me to be. They gave me a strong foundation and let me explore my talents on my own.

Maybe with all my gadgets and high-tech Apple toys, I really hope Elkan is the next “Steve Jobs” in the making. (That means, I just found the excuse to buy more gadgets!)

Pocket Money

Spending time and “growing up” with my little boy makes me wonder about my own childhood. It is indeed Déjà Vu watching Elkan’s little acts. Like father, like son – Elkan reminds me how similar we are. Of course, I don’t have his good vibe and features. Software-wise, I believe he can do more “impact” than his old dad.

Last Monday, I started giving him “pocket money” and taught him the concept and value of money. Like any first-timer, Elkan was superbly excited.

“You mean I have money everyday now? Like Mummy?” he asked. I told him that he will be attending school and he needs to be responsible and mindful about his money. Elkan stared at the note with his big bright eyes for a long time. It was like seeing a HKD20 note for the first time. Not believing this is a real deal for him, he asked again, “Are you sure this is mine?”

For a father, I was very eager to see his first reaction and how he would spend his first pocket money. Instead of thinking what to buy with this new found “material”, Elkan asked me a second question.

“Mm..Daddy, what about giving me a wallet too? So I can be like you… keeping the money in the wallet,” he requested. I suggested he should spend his money on his own wallet. He quickly answered, “No! If I spent my money on the wallet, then my wallet will be empty. Urghh…nevermind, I will keep my money now and wait for someone to give me a wallet.” It was such a comical moment and I was speechless. Later, Felicia asked him if he likes the “Toy Story Buzz” wallet. Elkan insisted he wanted the “leather wallet”.

Somehow, he wasn’t used to the concept of carrying or spending money. It is a totally new life routine for him. Day by day, he locked his daily pocket money in his candy box. He knows the money is precious but I was very curious why he hasn’t show the urge to “spend it”. I decided to play the devil and “tempted” him to buy his favorite things (like toy cars, fries, soft drinks).

“Daddy, I was thinking of buying my classmates food and drinks like how you always treat your friends… but you told not to show off my money… I think I better keep it for myself,” he said. I asked him why he wanted to treat his classmates with food and drinks. He said, “I wanted to be like you ah…”

“Don’t you want to buy games or toys or even books with your money?” I asked. “Or buy me or mummy something special?”

“Yah rite… You won’t allowed me to buy those things. Better keep my money,” he said. My god, my son sounded like an adult! And he went on to ask me how and when I will increase his pocket money. He questioned “You mean if I do more spelling and maths, I will get more money from you? Like you – you work a lot and you got more money, right? Then where Mummy got her money from? She is not working?” I wondered if I ever give my old folks such hard time when they gave me my first pocket money.

2 days ago, Elkan came to me and reminded me that I forgot about his pocket money. I quickly took out the note and handed it to him. He then said, “Daddy, I have a better suggestion. Why don’t you give me a credit card? In this case, you won’t need to give me the money everyday. And I won’t need a wallet and keep counting these notes.”